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Fort Lewis College Athletics

Scoreboard

Katie Dunbabin 4.20
Bob Bonnar, FLC Athletics
FLC sophomore goalkeeper Katie Dunbabin made 10 saves in Tuesday's 1-0 loss to Westminster College.
1
Winner Westminster (UT) WC (5-2-2, 3-2-0)
0
Fort Lewis FLC (4-2-3, 3-1-1)
Winner
Westminster (UT) WC
(5-2-2, 3-2-0)
1
Final
0
Fort Lewis FLC
(4-2-3, 3-1-1)
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Westminster (UT) WC 0 1 1
Fort Lewis FLC 0 0 0

Game Recap: Women's Soccer | | David Wilson, Assistant AD-Communications

Late goal pushes Westminster past Skyhawks in RMAC quarterfinals

DURANGO, Colorado — The 2021 spring season has been all about growth for a young Fort Lewis College women's soccer team as it ascends back into RMAC prominence.

A 4-11-1 team just three seasons ago, the Skyhawks stepped on to Dirks Field Tuesday as hosts for the first home playoff game for the program since 2013.

Unfortunately, the storybook ending didn't come to fruition Tuesday for the Skyhawks as a talented Westminster College team netted a late goal in the 86th minute to earn a 1-0 RMAC Tournament quarterfinal victory. But that light at the end of the team's rebuilding tunnel is getting closer by the day.

"We're disappointed that we got beat by a team that played better than us (Tuesday). That always hurts. But it was another step forward for the program as a whole," said FLC head women's soccer coach Damian Clarke. "We're learning how to play on Dirks in big games and learning on how to navigate through the emotions of a big game. But no doubt we're proud of the team and the steps we know we took forward this spring."

Playing in strong, steady winds the Skyhawks (4-2-3 overall) nearly took the upper-hand early on Tuesday when an errant pass floated over the heads of the Westminster College (5-2-2 overall) back line and into no-mans land at the 4:29 mark of the first half.

FLC freshman Aubrey Swindle won the race to the ball against Griffins' goalkeeper Kelsea Cracroft, but had her chip attempt roll just wide left of the empty net.

The Skyhawks and Griffins played each other to a draw in the first half, with the shots evenly matched at 6-6.

But in the second half, with the wind to their backs, the Griffins were able to use the elements to their advantage as they out-shot FLC 10-1over the final 45 minutes.

Sophomore goalkeeper Katherine Dunbabin was sensational, stopping a season-high 10 of the 11 shots she faced in the game. The 10 saves were one shy of Dunbabin's career high of 11, set Oct. 20, 2019 against Dixie State University.

The lone blemish on the afternoon came in the 87th minute on a perfectly placed shot in the bottom-right corner by WC's Alexa Maple that proved to be the game-winner.

"Katie was awesome and she grew a lot this season, which was huge," Clarke said. "To have a goalkeeper who can keep you in the game; and honestly this was the first time she really had to stand on her head and do that this year to keep us in a game."

Offensively, the Skyhawks were able to put five shots on goal —a team-high three courtesy of junior midfielder Katie Smith — but were unable to find the back of the net.

Tuesday's game marked the final games in a FLC uniform for seniors Britt Blomso and Corinne Sanderson, each of whom Clarke praised as instrumental pieces in the Skyhawks' quick turnaround the past two season.

Blomso, a defenseman and converted goalkeeper, finishes her career with 130 saves in 36 games played with a .778 save percentage.

Sanderson, a junior transfer from Idaho State University, tied for the team lead in scoring this spring with eight points (3 goals, 2 assists) and will graduate with four career goals and 12 points in 23 games played.

"Britt's commitment to this team, even when her body wouldn't let he continue playing goalkeeper, was massive and Corinne proved to be one of the better players in the conference," Clarke said of his two seniors. "They'll be greatly missed."

The great news for the Skyhawks in 10 of their 11 starters on the field Tuesday, and a total of 26 players are in line to return in just four short months when the team gets ready for a highly anticipated 2021 fall season campaign.

"The girls will have a couple weeks off now. We might have another ID Camp to get a look at a few more potential recruits. But now we'll focus on rest and getting our bodies right for the fall," Clarke said. "I think, when it comes down to it, we feel like we can compete with and beat anybody so I'd like to think we're in a good position going into next year."
 
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